Updated in Historic Polish Village in Berea

45 Lincoln Ave, Berea, OH Get Directions Click Here Description Features Photos Maps & Local Schools Walk Score $ Click for current price 3 BEDROOMS This quintessential quarry worker''s home and one of the earliest built in Berea and is loaded with charm. Don''t let the age of the home fool you, though. Nearly everything has been updated. From the all new kitchen featuring granite countertops, new cabinetry, and all appliances to the beautiful master bath, old-time charm blends with modern convenience. Other updates you''ll appreciate are new paint and flooring throughout, most windows updated, full tear-off roof replacement, basement waterproofing, central air, water heater and more. Located in the Historic Polish Village neighborhood, a walk up and down the streets recalls an earlier, simpler time. Neighborhood features such as a popular tavern, destination restaurant, Historic rail station, a small but interesting cemetery, and the Berea Recreation center mean you don''t have to go far to find something to do. And don''t forget about the Browns Training Center just across on the other side of Front Street. Life in Berea is like no other place in Northeast Ohio. This community features lakes, parks and community activities like outdoor movies, pool parties, holiday festivals and parades, neighborhood garage sales, an art walk, and so much more! If you are looking for a place to live that provides a strong sense of community and plenty to do, look no further. Your home is here! Search All Homes For Sale Global Luxury Homes Free Home Values Michelle Stanifer REALTOR® Coldwell Banker Schmidt Family of Companies 440-391-1304 mstanifer@gmail.com L2L

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Berea Open House Sunday 1:00-3:00 pm

Spacious Family Home at 394 West Street, Berea, OH 44017

Huge room sizes here! This one owner home is solid & has been well cared for over the years. With its large, light filled rooms & great bones, this home has all the right stuff. The kitchen features all appliances and recently updated cabinets. The formal dining room is big enough for family gatherings & features sliders to the deck with retractable awing for easy transitioning when entertaining outdoors or dining al fresco! The living room is spacious & the windows are generous letting in a ton of natural light. The windows throughout the house have all been updated to good quality Anderson thermal insulated windows for energy efficiency. Average utility bills for this all electric home are only $135 per month. Upstairs, the bedrooms are all generously sized to huge. Have kids sharing one room? Have king sized beds? No problems here! And for people who have little ones or pets to contain, the back yard is fully fenced. Car enthusiasts will appreciate the 2+ car garage plus additional shed. Other updates to this home include brand new Trane heat pump, furnace & A/C - 2014, AO Smith water heater - 2014, updated 200 amp electrical service, sump pump with back up battery, & more! Life in Berea, is relaxed & centered around community. With easy access to the Metroparks & lakes, those who appreciate outdoor life will find plenty to do & there is always something happening in our town center, even if it is just our ridiculous number of PokeStops! Easy access to all highways.

Michelle Stanifer  (440) 391-1304
Matthew Spence   (440) 527-3351
Stanifer-Spence Team

Classic Tudor Home in the Park

Timeless beauty welcomes you home.  Perfect setting for entertaining indoors or out, you will never want to move again!  196 Stanford Dr   Berea, OH 44017 $174,900

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CALL (888) 472-3100 FOR DETAILS! County: Cuyahoga Subdivision: Asling-Hartman Westbridge MLS Number: 3602455 Comments: This beautiful 1920's Tudor home features the perfect mix of old & new. Original leaded glass& hardwood floors give a nod to the past while stainless appliances in the updated kitchen speak to how we live today. This home is located on one of the most desirable streets in Berea, within walking distance of the metroparks, Berea Triangle, restaurants, shopping, park, pool, library and more. If you want to live in a neighborhood that still throws block parties in the summer, puts out luminaries on December 24th & where your neighbors are your friends, the Westbridge neighborhood is for you. Home features updated kitchen& baths, updated windows with leaded glass details retained, finished bedroom on the 3rd floor, large closets, lots of storage throughout, beautiful back yard that backs up the the Cleveland Metroparks with deck, decomposed granite conversation area and firepit. 1st floor office/bedroom & finished 3rd floor make potentially 5 bedrooms. Call now for your private showing.

Listed By: Michelle Stanifer Michelle Stanifer: (440) 391-1304 mstanifer@gmail.com Matt Spence: (440) 527-3351 mpcspence@gmail.com Russell Real Estate Services 12198 Pearl Road Strongsville, OH, 44136

www.GetListedGetSoldMove.com

Well Priced Cape Cod Backs Up to Metroparks

If you have ever imagined living near the woods, if you love playing or exercising in the park, if you or your kids or pets are nature lovers, this is the home for you! 

296 Westbridge Dr Berea, OH 44017 $149,900

Click here to view the full details of this property.

CALL (440) 391-1304 FOR DETAILS! County: Cuyahoga Subdivision: Westbridge Sub #4 MLS Number: 3479284 Comments: This charming 4 bedroom cape cod is located in one of Berea's best kept secrets. The Westbridge subdivision is a community within a community. It is the type of neighborhood where everyone knows one another and in which block parties in the summer and luminaries on December 24th are just a couple of the little things that exemplify life in Westbridge. Featuring a newer roof, furnace, water heater, flooring, appliances and upgraded electric. Original solid wood kitchen cabinets, wood burning fireplace, plaster walls and hardwood floors give a nod to the past. Enjoy scenic views of nature while relaxing in the three season room as this home backs up the the Cleveland Metroparks. Finished rec room area in basement. Walk to park, pool, library, dining, Berea Triangle, shopping, etc. Best value in Berea this summer. Bring your decorating ideas and buy into the neighborhood at an outstanding price. Once in a lifetime opportunity... don't miss out!

Listed By: Michelle Stanifer Michelle Stanifer: (440) 391-1304 mstanifer@gmail.com Matt Spence: (440) 527-3351 mpcspence@gmail.com Russell Real Estate Services 12198 Pearl Road Strongsville, OH, 44136

www.GetListedGetSoldMove.com

A Sweet Treat for You & Your Sweetheart

Valentines day is a wonderfully romantic date night that I love to celebrate.  What I don't love is dining out in crowded restaurants and paying exorbitant prices for sometimes mediocre food.  One year, I decided that it would be my gift to my husband to cook and serve him a 12-course meal.  I set a pretty table with candles, chilled several types of wines for the various courses, bought expensive cigars, a nice port, and then cooked my brains out.

If you have never done this, I will advise you to plan ahead and begin eating early.  If you start with the appetizer around 6:00 PM, you may get to the final course by 11:00 PM.  We have done this several times.  It is something that is a lot of fun to do with a group of friends.  Well, a group of friends who can have a few glasses of wine and still be fun, that is.  Do not try with moody drinkers.  Take your time between courses and make your portions small or you won't make it to the end!  

The one thing I have made more than once and is now the one dessert that I think of every Valentine's Day is a Mocha Truffle Cup.  The little cups are made of chocolate, the filling is mocha mousse and it is topped with a chocolate covered coffee bean.  It was a simple but sophisticated little dessert that I found in an old cookbook.  I now see that another site has posted it word for word, but doubled, and is claiming it as their own.  They have requested that it be attributed to them if copied.  Since it was mine first and someone else's before that, I do not feel the need.  I will share it with you and I hope you and your sweetheart will enjoy it as much as we do.

After Dinner Mocha Truffle Cups

18 Chocolate cups

                1 cup chocolate chips

                ½ Tbs shortening

Melt over low heat or in double boiler, stirring constantly to prevent scorching.  Remove from heat as soon as chocolate melts.  Spoon about ½ TBS melted chocolate into each of 18 small foil candy cups.  Brush chocolate up the side of each cup with a clean paintbrush, coating foil completely.  Carefully wipe off any chocolate that may have run over top of foil cup using tip of finger.  Place cups on a baking sheet; let stand in cool place until firm.  Do not refrigerate.

½ c whipping cream

1 egg

½ c semisweet chocolate chips

1 TBS prepared espresso, cooled

½ TBS coffee flavored liqueur

½ tsp unflavored gelatin

Sweetened whipped cream

Chocolate covered espresso beans for garnish (I get mine at Cafe Ah Roma in Berea)

* Prepare chocolate cups and set aside. 

* Place large bowl and beaters in freezer until cold.  Pour whipping cream into chilled bowl and beat with mixer at high until soft peaks form.  Refrigerate.

* Beat egg in separate bowl at high about 5 minutes or until thick and lemon colored. 

* Melt chocolate chips in double boiler .  Add a small amount to egg and stir to blend.  Add egg mixture to remaining chocolate and cook over medium heat 1 minute stirring constantly.  Remove from heat.

* Place espresso and liqueur in small saucepan and sprinkle with gelatin.  Let stand 1 minute to soften.  Heat over low heat until gelatin is completely dissolved, stirring constantly.  To test for undissolved gelatin, run a finger over the spoon.  If it feels smooth, the gelatin is completely dissolved. 

* Gradually add gelatin mixture, a few drops at a time to chocolate mixture, whisking until smooth. 

* Gently fold ½ of chocolate mixture into chilled whipped cream with rubber spatula by gently cutting down to bottom of bowl, scraping up side of bowl, then folding over top of mixture.  Repeat until chocolate is incorporated.  Add to remaining chocolate, gently folding until combined and no steaks of chocolate remain. 

* Spoon chocolate mixture into reserved chocolate cups with small spoon, filling to top; refrigerate at least 3 hours or until firm. 

* Garnish with whipped cream and beans.

How Changes in the Market Have Affected Home Values in Berea, OH

This will be fun for those number crunching types!

Berea Median Sale Price

Berea Home Values - Interactive chart

According to Zillow, the median sale price for a single family home in Berea, OH is $120, 000.  Median, being the middle value, meaning half the homes sold above and half sold below this number, seems a safe way to show what is happening in an area.  

First I confess that I am not really sure where Zillow gets its figures.  As I look at the chart, the period of greatest decline in the median sales price is listed from December 1, 2008 to July 1, 2009.  Just prior to that we saw a robust increase in median sales price from October 1, 2008 to December 1, 2008.  Zillow shows this jump going from $134,000 on October 1st to $159,000 on December 1st.   

I searched out all closed sales in the MLS from October 1, 2008 – December 1, 2008.  During this period, 31 home sales had closed in Berea, ranging from $30,000 to $250,000.  The average sales price was $101,261 and the median sales price was $98,900. 

Now I realize that this number does not represent all closed sales, as there are some that closed without the MLS, but since this number represents approximately 98% of all closed sales for that period, I am fairly confident that the additional 2% that closed outside the MLS would not skew the numbers enough to matter.  I have concluded that Zillow must be working with some sort of rolling average that I don't have the patience to calculate.  ;)

So, instead, I worked up my own little hybrid study.  I went back to 2005 to find a period of growth or stability and tracked what has happened in Berea from that point as well as the changes, year over year.  Not really a fancy rolling average kind of thing, but good info, if you ask me.  So here are the MLS stats for all single family residential properties (excluding condos) sold:

May 2005 Snapshot-Cuyahoga County:

12,357 Active/Pending Homes on the market

              1,365 Closed Sales

Berea Statistics from June 11, 2004-2005:  Y/Y Change               

Properties sold: 186                                          -3%

Average Sales Price: $138,342                         +3%

Median Sales Price: $130,000                          +2%

Low: $62,500

High: $745,000

May 2006 Snapshot-Cuyahoga County:

12,389 Active/Pending Homes on the market

              1,307 Closed Sales

Berea Statistics from June 11, 2005-2006:  Y/Y Change          2005/2006

Properties sold: 225                                          +21%                          +21% 

Average Sales Price: $137,582                         -1%                             -1%

Median Sales Price: $132,500                          +2%                            +2%

Low: $55,000

High: $310,800

                       

May 2007 Snapshot-Cuyahoga County:

12,158 Active/Pending Homes on the market

              1,230 Closed Sales

Berea Statistics from June 11, 2006-2007:  Y/Y Change          2005/2007

Properties sold: 203                                          -10%                           +9%

Average Sales Price: $132,904                         -3%                             -4%

Median Sales Price: $131,500                          -1%                             +2%

Low: $45,100

High: $357,833

May 2008 Snapshot-Cuyahoga County:

12,133 Active/Pending Homes on the market

              1,102 Closed Sales

Berea Statistics from June 11, 2007-2008:  Y/Y Change          2005/2008

Properties sold: 176                                          -13%                           -5%

Average Sales Price: $122,813                         -8%                             -11%

Median Sales Price: $125,000                          -5%                             -4%

Low: $8,500

High: $660,000

May 2009 Snapshot-Cuyahoga County:

12,268 Active/Pending Homes on the market

                 996 Closed Sales

Berea Statistics from June 11, 2008-2009:  Y/Y Change          2005/2009

Properties sold: 155                                          -12%                           -17%

Average Sales Price: $104,967                         -15%                           -24%

Median Sales Price: $100,000                          -20%                           -23%

Low: $30,000

High: $250,000

May 2010 Snapshot-Cuyahoga County:

12,576 Active/Pending Homes on the market

              1,066 Closed Sales

Berea Statistics from June 11, 2009-2010:  Y/Y Change          2005/2010

Properties sold: 203                                          +31%                          +9%

Average Sales Price: $114,559                         +9%                            -17%

Median Sales Price: $115,000                          +15%                          -12%

Low: $9,500

High: $290,000

May 2011 Snapshot-Cuyahoga County:

11,821 Active/Pending Homes on the market

                 871 Closed Sales

Berea Statistics from June 11, 2010-2011:  Y/Y Change          2005/2011

Properties sold: 143                                          -30%                           -23%

Average Sales Price: $104,480                         -9%                             -24%

Median Sales Price: $109,000                          -5%                             -16%

Low: $5,000

High: $275,000

Once again, according to Zillow, our current median sales price is $120,000.  While I like that figure better than the one the MLS provides, I am skeptical, based on the information available.  Moreover, I am a bit disappointed, at this moment, in this last 12 month period.  Until recently, Berea has enjoyed a relatively low negative impact, considering the market, on its home values.  We saw some nice gains from 2009-2010 that were almost completely wiped out from 2010-2011. 

On a positive note, however, I am confident, based on having seen much recent activity in the market, that we will see another rebound in the 2011-2012 numbers.  As I write this there are 29 homes in Berea under contract and waiting to close.  The asking prices range between $45,000 and $197,990.  Even if 10% of the deals die and another 10% don’t close within the next 30 days, we are still looking at 24 homes sold in this upcoming month.  Only 179 more to go (16 +/- per month) to match 2010, which is totally do-able.  Go Berea!!

While tools like those found on Zillow and other real estate sites can provide some general information about a market area, consider contacting your Realtor® for an up-to-date evaluation of how the current market has affected your home’s value.  Most don’t charge for this service and we are happy to keep our customers, friends and family informed about the value of their investment. 

Cornerstone Brewing Company

As we frequently do, my husband and I walked to CornerStone Brewing Company for dinner last night.  Located at the Berea Triangle, Berea's version of downtown, it was about a 10 minute walk from home.  Their sidewalk patio is one of our favorite hangouts in the summertime.  It seems the entire town will walk by as you enjoy your meal, and it isn't uncommon to be joined for a beer or two by a neighbor. 


CornerStone Brewery, as the name suggests, is more than a restaurant.  They are a microbrewery as well, brewing their own independent beers.  There are staples on tap with such locality inspired names as Grindstone Gold and Sandstone Lager, as well as some interesting originals.  One of my favorites, the Angry Gorilla, has a hint of banana and spice.  The varieties change by season and are always a surprising delight.  The hardest part is choosing one, but don't worry.  You can always order a sampler, a wheel of all seven current varieties, in 2 oz glasses to help you decide.  For the not-yet-of-age, they also brew a fabulous rootbeer.  


For those who like to see how it's done, you can wander to the side of the building and watch through the windows as the brew-masters, Erik Rothschiller and Jay Cox, make magic happen. Or ask one of the most friendly of servers to be found anywhere to take you back for a mini tour.  The scents of hops and spice are heavenly.


The menu is perfectly suited to beer drinking with such items as handmade hot pretzels, Reubens, beer battered fish, smoky salmon, Buffalo chicken wraps, and another absolute must-try, the Bavarian Pretzel Chicken.  They also serve phenomenal burgers and several unique varieties of pizza.  But no matter what else you decide to eat, make it a point to order some fried pickles!  They are addictive and are the one item that keeps luring us back, again and again.  


The atmosphere can best be described, on most days as bustling.  The space is long and narrow with high exposed ceilings,  creaky wood floors and an abundance of windows.  The open kitchen and generous bar area add an airy feel and contributes to the activity.  If you haven't been there, trust me, CornerStone Brewing will become a favorite hang out after just one visit.